Principal

Safe Party Tips

With three weeks left before our vacation break, I have heard that many of our boys are planning parties, especially 18th and 16th birthday parties. After such a disrupted 2020, I can well understand why boys and parents are keen to get back to their usual pattern of social activities to celebrate key events. For your information I have listed some suggestions for you to consider when having a party or gathering. By following the advice below, you can help minimise the risks and help make your party successful, enjoyable and a safe time for everyone.

Before the party

Let the police know that you are having a party by completing the Party Registration Form online. Access the form through the NSW Police Force website and lodge at least 72 hours prior to the party being held.
Consider how the party will be advertised. Do not use Internet, SMS or email distribution lists, online notice boards or social networking sites. If word of the party has spread, you will need to take extra preventative measures (i.e., change venue, more adult supervisors, hire a security guard, ask neighbours to notify you of any unusual behaviour).
Guest lists should be kept to a manageable size. If you are hosting a young person's party and you are expecting a large number of people, consider asking other responsible adults to assist with supervision, or consider hiring security officers.
Consider numbering your invitations or have the guests produce their invitation at the door to get entry. Accompany this with a door list to ensure only those invited can enter. This is relevant for adolescent parties.
Ask your guests to ensure that other people are not invited without the host's permission.
Personally hand out invitations and let people know that it is an exclusive party, strictly invitation only. That way you can control who is at the party - the door list will help with this.
Make sure your party has a definite start and finish time, and that your guests know what these times are.
If your party is to be held in a hall or sporting facility, contact your local council or community group regarding the hiring conditions, public liability, restrictions etc. This may end up saving you money in the long run.
Go to the location beforehand and check it out. Know where the entrance(s) and exit(s) to the venue are. It is wise to avoid buildings with multiple entrances if you do not want gate crashers.
Talk to your neighbours and give them a contact number should an emergency occur.
Find out about local noise regulations (contact your Local Council or Police if in doubt).
Prepare your house.
Lock away items that can be broken or damaged like the TV, laptop and electrical items. Also put things away that may be easily stolen such as jewellery, mobile phones, and cameras. If you can pick it up, so can others.

Important

If your guests are under 18 years old, you cannot serve them alcohol. It is an offence and the consequence is a hefty fine. If uninvited people attend the party, ask them to leave and if they do not leave contact police on 131 444. If it is an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

The venue

Think about the party size and venue. Is your home too small? Would a hall/function centre be a more appropriate and controlled environment?
Consider appropriate lighting (particularly any dark hidden-away areas you may have).
Are there sufficient toilets so people do not go outside?
Where will people put their valuables when they arrive and during the party?
Allocate a lockable room for valuables and close off rooms you do not want people to use.

During the party

If gate crashers arrive, ask them to leave. If they will not leave, call the police on 131 444 or if there is an emergency, call Triple Zero (000). Remember, you have the right to refuse entry to your property. It is an offence for people to trespass if you have refused them entry.
Have emergency numbers handy.
Locate band and speaker systems as far away from neighbours as possible and try to keep noise to a minimum. Excessive noise is most likely to be the reason that police will be called to attend a party.
Plan a wind-down time leading up to the finish, turning down music etc.

Supervision and security

Think about adult supervision/security for your party. Who will you use? How many?
Will you use other parents or hire licensed security officers?
If the party is for a young person, please ensure parental supervision is not about “spying” on the young people attending, but just having adults on hand to deal with potential trouble.
Make sure that the supervision is visible, as this will also deter “gate crashers”.

Drug and alcohol issues

Be aware that it is an offence for alcohol to be served or provided to people under the age of 18.
Ensure under 18s do not have access to alcohol. Confiscate BYO alcohol from under 18s. If under 18s do consume alcohol/drugs, contact their parents and have them collected from the party.
More detailed information about the current drug and alcohol trends can be found on the website of the Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia. The public figure leading this is Paul Dillon who will often come across your screens at home.
Be aware of guests who bring vaping devices to the party. Vaping is a very unhealthy habit and, in many cases, young people are consuming nicotine and THC (Cannabis) directly into their lungs.

Be on the lookout for guests who participate in ‘nanging’ at your party. ‘Nanging’ is a slang term used to describe the inhalation of the nitrous oxide, also known as ‘laughing gas’ from bulbs usually used in soda syphons or for making whipped cream. A recent schoolies tragedy (boy falling off a 10th floor balcony with toxic levels of nitrous oxide in his body) has led to shopkeepers in Surfers Paradise removing whipped cream canisters from their shelves. Recently, there has been a startling growth in its use and young people can arrange for door-to-door deliveries during parties.

Crowd management techniques

Have only one entrance or exit to make it easier to control who attends your party. Consider how you will monitor and control this.
Do not allow people to wander around or congregate out the front of your house. Try to confine the party to a backyard, building or enclosed area as it is easier to control your guests. Avoid using front yards or street frontages as this attracts uninvited guests/gate crashers and can cause complaints from neighbours.
Have visible supervision or security.
Remember that it is your party, and you have the right to set the standard of acceptable behaviour and to see that it is maintained. You also have the right to ask people to leave.
If required contact the police on 131 444. In an emergency always contact Triple Zero (000).

Fifth Sunday of Lent - 28 March 2021

During Lent, we focus more intently on what it means to live faithfully as a follower of Jesus. We are approaching the end of Lent, and this Sunday’s Gospel helps us to understand what it means to follow Jesus all the way to his sacrifice on the cross. As we listen to this Sunday’s Gospel, notice what Jesus tells his disciples about his prayer as the hour of his death draws near.

The final section of today’s Gospel might be read as John’s parallel to the agony in the garden. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels, the Gospel of John does not record Jesus’ anguished prayer in the garden of Gethsemane before his arrest. Although comparable words are found in today’s reading, Jesus gives a confident response to the question he raises when asking God to save him from his impending death. After announcing his conviction that it is for this purpose that he came, a voice from heaven speaks, as if in answer to Jesus’ prayer. This voice, like the one heard at Jesus’ baptism and at Jesus’ Transfiguration—events reported in the Synoptic Gospels but not in John’s Gospel—affirms that God welcomes the sacrifice that Jesus will make on behalf of others. In John’s Gospel, Jesus teaches that this voice was sent for the sake of those who would believe in him.

This Sunday’s Gospel prepares us to journey with Christ during Holy Week, reminding us that Jesus stayed focused on his purpose and gave glory to God by accepting suffering and death for our salvation. Jesus teaches his disciples and us that those who want to follow him must serve others by thinking about others’ needs before their own. When we do this, we, too, give glory to God.

What might you do between now and Easter to show your willingness to follow Jesus by serving others? Let us pray together, asking God to help us honour our commitment to follow Jesus by putting others’ needs before our own.

Prayer for Generosity

Eternal Word, only begotten Son of God,

Teach me true generosity.

Teach me to serve you as you deserve.

To give without counting the cost,

To fight heedless of wounds,

To labour without seeking rest,

To sacrifice myself without thought of any reward

Save the knowledge that I have done your will.

Amen.

Community News

Please join me in congratulating Mrs Lisa Dib (Religious Education), her husband Justin and their family on the arrival of their daughter, Mila Avery Dib, born on Thursday, 11 March. Mum and bub are doing well. We thank the Lord for Mila’s safe arrival and know this child will bring her family many blessings.

Condolences

Please keep in your prayers Gianluca Petrino (Year 11), Massimo Costa-Puntillo (Year 7) and Sebastiano Costa-Puntillo (Year 5) on the recent loss of their Great Grandmother, Rosa Petrino.

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

SPC boys can do anything! *

*except divide by zero